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INFORMATION ITEM <br /> N <br /> � , range County <br /> n� <br /> Emergency Services <br /> 11,ii ,„ D, ,,i A Prepare Coordinated,an Integrated . Services S to <br /> k * sv 01 <br /> 1 it I1II, 14 t1 i-itI1I"), I L:Hi,iIv(I,; rlfrrd,..,'Ili (rk <br /> err r ,i ; <br /> To: Board of County Commissioners <br /> From: Thomas Campbell, ES System Technician, Project Manager <br /> Date: January 27, 2017 <br /> Re: Status of Countywide Radio Communications Project <br /> Current Activities: <br /> Federal Engineering is exploring a number of radio system options, trying to determine what <br /> each looks like functionally and financially, so we can decide which best fits the needs of <br /> Orange County and Orange County's emergency responders. To date, the options include a <br /> standalone 800 MHz system, an 800 MHz system that is shared with another jurisdiction to <br /> reduce costs related to infrastructure, and VHF options, possibly in conjunction with limited 800 <br /> MHz coverage. <br /> The system analysis is on schedule and final recommendations are anticipated to be received <br /> by April 2017. <br /> Completed Activities: <br /> Federal Engineering conducted a Workshop at Emergency Services which was attended by <br /> representatives of various emergency responder agencies on December 22, 2016. The <br /> workshop's purpose was to examine how the different types of systems might result in different <br /> coverage levels, how that coverage compares to the current coverage on the existing system, <br /> and how different system specifications may affect that coverage. <br /> The results of this workshop will be used to inform cost modeling by Federal Engineering, and <br /> also give an idea of what a phased rollout of any new radio infrastructure would look like, and <br /> how radio coverage would change as the system were rolled out. <br /> Federal Engineering had previously conducted interviews with emergency responders <br /> throughout the county to understand exactly how the current radio system is used and what <br /> type of growth each agency expects to see in coming decades. This information is used to <br /> understand the capacity requirements of the County, to ensure that any design meets the <br /> industry standard for Grade of Service of 1%. That is to say no more than 1% of calls on the <br /> system result in a busy signal. <br /> For detailed or technical questions, please contact: <br /> ES Project Manager: Thomas Campbell at (919) 245-6140 or tampbell @orangecountvnc.gov <br /> Federal Engineering: Clifton Brown, PE at (704) 451-5090 or cbrown @fedenq.com <br /> 510 Meadowlands Drive 1 Hillsborough, NC 27278 1 (919)245-6100 Office <br />